Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting millions of people. At the Lions Eye Institute, we are continually advancing the frontiers of glaucoma research, diagnosis and treatment, striving to improve the lives of those affected by this debilitating condition.
At the Lions Eye Institute, our work in glaucoma is driven by one clear goal: protecting people’s sight and quality of life. Every day, our researchers and clinicians work to better understand this life changing disease, finding earlier signs of glaucoma, testing new treatments, and tailoring care to each individual. By combining knowledge from clinical care with world class science and technology, we are helping people living with glaucoma maintain their independence and vision – making a real difference for patients and families across Western Australia and beyond.
Advances in personalised visual field testing for glaucoma
We are now two years into our world-leading three-year longitudinal study of new methods of measuring visual fields: The Individualised Perimetry Progression Observations in Glaucoma Study (IPPOGS). This study is exploring new, more personalised ways to test vision and detect progressing glaucoma-related damage earlier. Instead of using a one size fits all vision test, researchers are tailoring tests to each person’s unique pattern of vision, aiming to help doctors spot changes sooner and make treatment decisions earlier to better protect sight.
The study also combines these customised vision tests with highly detailed imaging of the retina to look at both the structure and blood flow of the eye.
By using advanced computer analysis and expert data science, researchers aim to improve how glaucoma is monitored over time. Ultimately, this work is designed to lead towards better, more personalised care and improved outcomes for people living with glaucoma. Preliminary results will be presented at leading international conferences in the USA and Europe in 2026 by Professor Allison McKendrick and Professor Andrew Turpin, ensuring global reach.
Enhancing success in glaucoma surgery
Dr Geoffrey Chan is exploring how to incorporate lymphatic imaging into preoperative planning for glaucoma surgery to improve outcomes
Glaucoma filtration surgery is essential for lowering intra-ocular pressure and protecting vision, but its success is often limited by inflammation and scarring within the drainage pathways. Our research focuses on a potential contributor to this problem – the conjunctival lymphatic system – exploring whether impaired lymphatic drainage reduces the eye’s ability to clear aqueous fluid after surgery.
With support from the McCusker Charitable Foundation, we have developed and patented a novel, non-invasive Optical Coherence Tomography Lymphangiography platform that can visualise the lymphatic vessel network in the human eye.
This technology allows us to evaluate lymphatic function before and after surgery, link lymphatic health to surgical outcomes and refine techniques.
For example, positioning drainage devices in regions with more robust lymphatic networks to improve success rates and minimise the need for postoperative interventions.
Ultimately, this work aims to reshape glaucoma surgery by incorporating lymphatic imaging into preoperative planning, reducing complications and delivering better long-term outcomes for patients.
Ensuring timely glaucoma care through collaboration
In 2025, the Lions Eye Institute, in partnership with The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), developed comprehensive patient referral protocols and tele-ophthalmology flow pathways to ensure the safe and efficient management of RPH public glaucoma patients through a pilot collaborative care model. The necessary equipment was also established to facilitate patient reviews.
Funded by the WA Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, this initiative incorporates UWA’s Doctor of Optometry students into the Midland clinic, where they support patient care under expert supervision. This innovative care model seeks to manage stable glaucoma locally, alleviating pressure on hospital services and ensuring timely, high-quality care for those who need it most.
A key goal of this initiative is to reduce the current waiting list of approximately 800 RPH patients who are overdue for their recommended follow-up visits at RPH. We are excited to have laid the groundwork for the clinic’s operation and look forward to welcoming our first patients in 2026, ultimately easing the burden on public hospitals and enabling patients to be seen sooner.
Testing intra-ocular pressure at home
Since 2024, the Lions Eye Institute has been helping people with glaucoma monitor their eye health from the comfort of home. Through a new device loan program, patients can now measure their eye pressure themselves, rather than relying only on clinic visits.
In 2025, this home eye pressure monitoring was expanded as part of a major research study, with industry partner support. Each person is collecting eye pressure readings multiple times a day over a four week period. Using this data, researchers can better understand how eye pressure changes over time, which is not possible with sporadic in-clinic measurements. The detailed eye-pressure information will be combined with detailed vision tests and high resolution eye scans to build a clearer picture of how glaucoma progresses.
By giving people the tools to track their eye health at home, this work aims to detect changes earlier, prevent avoidable vision loss, and make glaucoma care more responsive to each person’s needs.
Around 300,000 Australians and more than 80 million people worldwide are affected by glaucoma.
